50 The New 40 My Butt

Not sure who came up with this crock. I'm only mid way to 50 and can guarantee those extra 6 years past 40 make all the difference in the world. At 40 I still felt on top of the world. Although I still exercise, try to eat healthy, visit my doctor regularly for checkups, I am exhausted. That's not even the worst. I wake up in the morning with body aches and knotted muscles. It takes a few minutes to straighten out, stretch, take a couple of steps before resuming what we easily learned as toddlers, walking! I should not need two cups of coffee before I can focus and utter an intelligible sentence. 50 the new 40 my butt!

Life begins at 40 - but so do fallen arches, rheumatism, faulty eyesight, and the tendency to tell a story to the same person, three or four times.Helen Rowland

Middle Age and Beyond

If this is now, I sympathize with those older than me and what's in store for all of us as we age. I'm sure there are a few who will lie and tell me how wonderful they feel and while I don't doubt they do it is all relative to age. You feel great for 50 but don't tell me you feel exactly the same as you did when you were 40. I won't buy it. My peers are all about the same age and they have the same or strikingly similar body aches and complaints. Growing old sucks as you reach that 40 year milestone and beyond. You are now considered middle aged face it, you are going down and that's all there is to it.

Looking fifty is great--if you're sixty .Joan Rivers

Sure there are things you can do to ensure better health and mobility at any age. That being said, it doesn't change the creaking bones, occasional pain and flared up joints that go along with other age related conditions. Exercise and diet might help reduce them but still be prepared for some type of annoying symptom and discomfort.

You ever heard that saying, "your mind is telling you can do it, your body is saying who are you kidding". It was meant for the 40 somethings. I would be lying if I told you I knew what to do. So, what is this hub about? Its about the reality of growing old.

Half a century is about what we are good for before gravity and deterioration take hold. Let's see, your hair starts thinning, your eyes play tricks on you, forget nearsightedness you may have dealt with it or astigmatism throughout your life. Now you can't see eight inches in front of you, get ready for the bifocals. Lines spring up on your face almost overnight as do wrinkles and stray hairs. What is that about? Double chins appear, sagging bosoms and bottoms. Flab infiltrates your arms, belly and thighs. You may feel unbalanced at times, forgetful and have overall slower reflexes. This is just on the outside. You can only imagine what's all being rearranged, stretched and malfunctioning inside that once studly body of yours.

Middle age is when your age starts to show around your middle .Bob Hope

Oh, My Aching BodyAches and pains abound -- especially as we top 40 and become "middle-aged". But the key is knowing the difference between what you can treat yourself -- and how you can treat it -- and what needs a doctor's attention

The only true advice I can give is to not wait until it is too late to start making positive and healthy lifestyle changes. The longer you wait the more damage you do your body and self and the sooner you will begin to decompose. It is harder to reverse bad habits and behaviors than to learn to treat yourself right and adopt positive habits correctly the first time around.

You are by now probably asking, "So what can I do?" Well, they say it's never too late to start anything and anything you start and do today is better than not at all. Exercise, eat a well balanced diet, get some sleep, engage in activities you enjoy, socialize and laugh. Laugh at it all. It is the best medicine and will aid in releasing those good feel endorphins to help you cope better with your age related reality.

If you are still young enough, take heed. It's not just your parents telling you annoying things like "do this, don't do that, eat this, not that, exercise, don't drink, don't smoke, eat your fruits and veggies, drive the speed limit, and abstain from sex until married." It's the 40 something crowd whose been there done that and wished they had listened to the elders sooner.

Don't forget about treating yourself well and don't forget to pass on your 40 something knowledge to the younger generation. Your kids might not listen but you have a good chance your grand kids will. After all they adore you. That's one thing I don't mind about middle age at all!

Comments

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Author

Bail Up ! 6 years ago

The_Idea_Gal

I apologize for not getting to you sooner but as we know from this hub my body has been dragging, lol. I can't tell you how elated I am that you agree with me on this subject, I'm glad to hear I am are not alone. Thanks for the fun comment!

The_Idea_Gal 6 years ago

Bail up, I can't agree more. My energy level at 40 vs. late 40's is like night and day for both my husband and me. Plus we have to make an effort to workout more, eat more veggies and skip snacks every single day. We're not really wrinkled which is kind of funny, we're just really tired and hungry! LOL

Author

Bail Up ! 6 years ago

tony0724

I knew I wasn't alone on this! Isn't it amazing how our mind doesn't really age, we still think we can physically scale mountains, that is until we try. Worth the shot though :). Thanks for stopping in. I enjoyed seeing you around.

tony0724 6 years agofrom san diego calif

Bail Up I totally hear you. I did not need reading glasses till I turned 46. And now that 51 is not that far away, the mind is still immature and fun loving but the aches and pains are a daily part of my life. DAMMIT !!!

Author

Bail Up ! 6 years ago

James A. Watkins

I think it may have to do with good genes and partially how you take care of your body. In the words of Toby Keith "I ain't as good as I once was But I'm as good once as I ever was" Thanks for the post :)

James A Watkins 6 years agofrom Chicago

Maybe this is different for fellas but I felt great and looked good until I was 50. Since then, it has been downhill. Energy wanes, lines appear, face and belly fatten, mind loses memory. Oh well. It is what it is. Thanks for a good read. :)

Author

Bail Up ! 6 years ago

Mandeeadair

Why thank you for saying so. If we can't laugh at ourselves who can we laugh at? Thanks for stopping by and reading. I love your comment :)

Mandeeadair 6 years agofrom California

You have a fantastic writing style and sense of humor! I love it. Great hub!

Author

Bail Up ! 6 years ago

Creativeone59

I love that you get my wacky sense of humor. I only tell the truth! Thank You.

benny Faye Douglass 6 years agofrom Gold Canyon, Arizona

Thank youy Bailup, I had myself a very good laugh, even though it was the total truth. At the age of 50, we have more downs than ups, but I guess we have to thank the good Lord that we are stlli living. Thanks for a great hub. Godspeed. creativeone59

Author

Bail Up ! 6 years ago

GNelson

In my dreams I'm always 30 it's only when I get up I feel older. No point in worrying about it though. Thanks for the comment.

Author

Bail Up ! 6 years ago

breakfastpop

Thanks for the reminder but every once in a while I have to vent! Not complaining, just saying. I'm coming to breakfast, surprise me.

Author

Bail Up ! 6 years ago

Pamela99

Thanks for the loyal readership. You are the voice of reason and are 100% right. Aging is different for everyone. As Breakfastpop points out - I shall consider the alternative next time I roll slowly out of bed. :)

breakfastpop 6 years ago

Consider the alternative and be happy!

GNelson 6 years agofrom Florida

You are only as old as your dreams! Life is way too short to worry about much else.

Pamela Oglesby 6 years agofrom United States

Bail Up, I guess it is different for different people because of genetics. Arthritis runs in my family and I am past 50 with more than my fair share. I have changed many of my habits through the years which has helped and I have never smoked so I guess that's good, but I hear what you are saying about the mornings. Interesting hub.

Author

Bail Up ! 6 years ago

Ginn Navarre

I'll have to look at that hub off yours, now I'm intrigued. 79 years young and defying convention. I love it. Bless your heart and thanks for the lesson! and stopping in.

Author

Bail Up ! 6 years ago

Partisan Patriot

I want to be just like you when I grow up! Retired and doing whatever I feel like doing - not what I have to do. Therein lies the secret. Thanks for the insight.

Ginn Navarre 6 years ago

Dear, I'm here to tell you first hand how it really works. I explained it in a hub--(Age can be Colorful)

I am now 79 yr young and have never taken a pill except an asprin a couple times a year, I eat what I want and when I want. Soooooo just roll with the flow of life and don't sweat it!!!!!!

partisan patriot 6 years ago

Hey Bail up

I'm 63; during the spring, summer and fall I play golf 2 times a week; one of which I walk the course. I look forward to the sonw in the winter so I can shovel the drive way. Call me crazy but I've never been happier. You wanna know why; I'm retired; I wasn't retired at 40 or 45 or 50 or even 55!